FRESNO, CA (KMJ) -Fighting the slave trade by eating coffee and chocolate…
Human trafficking is a problem that exists right here in the Valley. Jessica Pittman, the Associate Director of the Central Valley Justice Coalition, says they are raising awareness and money to fight slavery with a coffee and chocolate soiree.
“People often don’t think that it is an issue when really behind closed doors there’s a lot of exploitation a lot of force and even forms of slavery happening.” -Jessica Pittman, Associate Director, Central Valley Justice Coalition.
The coffee and chocolate being served at the event does not involve slave labor – rather it helps raise money for the cause.
“We all make tons of choices every single day with how we spend each dollar, and so if we buy certain products as opposed to others we, actually are in a sense voting with our dollars, and we think that it is important to buy things that aren’t made by people caught in some form of slavery.” -Jessica Pittman, Associate Director, Central Valley Justice Coalition.
The Coalition’s Executive Director Ryan Townsend says there are a number of local companies putting forth fair products.
“Lanna Coffee, Two Cities Coffee, Molucca Chocolate – we want to highlight their work and know there is hope for people caught in slavery.” Ryan Townsend, Executive Director, Central Valley Justice Coalition
The Coffee & Chocolate Soiree starts at 5:30 on Friday, November 11th at the Painted Table on Wishon. Tickets are $35 dollars at the door.
You can meet Jody Jo from our sister station, KISS Country.
Click below to listen to a report by KMJ’s Liz Kern
